Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday sought Canada's support to recover money siphoned off from Bangladesh to the North American country, specifically invested in "Begum Para".

"They stole money from our people and bought assets in Begum Para. We need your help to recover the assets. It is the money of our people," Dr Yunus told Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh during a meeting at the State Guest Jamuna.

The Chief Adviser said hundreds of billions of dollars were stolen from Bangladesh by oligarchs, cronies and politicians connected with the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship, and part of it was laundered to Canada, including in buying assets in Toronto's infamous "Begum Para" neighbourhood.

He sought help to identify, freeze and recover the assets during his meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner.

The Canadian High Commissioner appreciated the efforts of the Prof Yunus-led interim government to bring the stolen money back.

Govt seeks UK support to bring laundered money back

He assured Canada's support in response to the Chief Adviser's asset recovery efforts, noting that Canada has a "mechanism" to freeze siphoned off money for recovery from persons identified by the interim government to the government of Canada.

The Canadian High Commissioner also offered the country's support to the interim government's reform initiatives in its transition to democracy. "We support the great thing you are doing. We appreciate the progress that has been made. We are keen to know what we can do," Ajit Singh said.

He said Canada was keen to expand trade with Bangladesh and invest more in the country. A Canadian minister would visit Bangladesh soon to discuss issues of mutual interest, he added.

Prof Yunus recalled his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and said Dhaka needs more Canadian investment.

"Bangladesh is ready for business. We want to expand trade with your country and we want Canadian companies to relocate their factories to Bangladesh," he said.

BB Governor reveals laundered money figures, reaffirms efforts to recover 

The Chief Adviser said many Bangladeshi people now live and study in Canada, and Ottawa should make a move to set up its visa office in Dhaka.

Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and the principal coordinator of SDGs affairs, also attended the meeting.